A Bean by Any Other Name Would Be as Sweet

June 2, 2006 @ 11:33 am | Filed under: Family,Funny

Beanie’s hair is like an eighth member of the family. (Oh my goodness. We are a family of seven now. I am still getting used to saying that.) This time of year, it embraces the humidity and exhibits more personality than ever. In certain weather, the child looks ready for a Welcome Back Kotter reunion. It is glorious hair, the kind you can’t keep your hands off, the kind no passing stranger can resist commenting about.

Today we were headed home from the pool, depressingly dry. Thunder and lightning had commenced just as the kids kicked off their flip-flops, and the life guard somberly shook her head. We turned to trudge home, the rising wind whipping Beanie’s curls into a frenzy.

Our friend Lisa met us in the parking lot. “Hey, Fuzzhead,” she greeted Beanie affectionately.

Beanie (who seldom glowers) glowered. “I don’t like being called Fuzzhead,” she said quietly.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” said Lisa. “What do you like to be called?”

Beanie pondered. Her eyes brightened and she nodded with satisfaction.

“Monkey!”

Well, of course. Monkey is ever so much more dignified than Fuzzhead.

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Mel says:

When one of my sons was four, he spent the whole summer changing his name. For awhile, we had to call him “Thunder.”

I miss those days. (He’s 8 now and way to dignified.)
Posted on June 2nd, 2006 at 4:12 pm
Ann says:

Tell Monkey that I would give anything to have beautiful curls like hers!
Posted on June 3rd, 2006 at 5:04 am
Cay G. says:

I knew it!

From the photos of Beanie’s “fuzz-y-head” : ), I had the suspicion that my Starr had a twin.

They look remarkably alike and the hair is indentical!
Posted on June 3rd, 2006 at 8:15 pm
s says:

My blessing has that type of hair also. She’s two, so can’t brush it yet and struggles mightily when I do it.

Every body, everywhere we go, comments on how beautiful her hair is.
Posted on June 8th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Lisa says:

I made your blog . . . I’m famous . . . finally!
Posted on June 10th, 2006 at 7:58 pm
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Posted on June 26th, 2006 at 11:14 pm

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Every day is complicated, messy, and full of friction. And every day has glorious or cozy moments worth celebrating. I seldom bother to chronicle the friction and the mess because writing time is fleeting and precious—and childhood even more so. I’d rather capture the small joys that I might forget—or take for granted—if I don’t take time to set them down in words.

(Excerpt from this post about Real Life, quoted here because I don't want anyone to be under the impression that things are always perfect around here! Heaven knows we are anything but. Perfect, frictionless, orderly? Nope. Happy? Most of the time!)